Duduzile’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and power, and it inspired Lara Carruthers of the Southern Hemisphere to nominate her for her advocacy for the decriminalisation of sex work.

Duduzile came from a background of driving poverty and came to Cape Town in search of a better life for herself and her children. The death of the father of her children left her near destitution and unable to feed or clothe her children. A friend introduced her to sex work, and whilst in the course of that, she has suffered abuse and police harassment, she has also been able to take back her power and to take care of her children and not only feed and clothe them but save for an education that will mean that their futures will not resemble her past.

“Activism is about care for other human beings”

Dudu firmly believes that activism is about caring for others, so it is not only her family that has been her focus in the years she has been in Cape Town. Dudu runs the Mothers for the Future project at Sex Workers Education & Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), focusing on empowering women. She has dedicated her time and energy to uplifting the marginalised and vulnerable community of sex workers.

Says Dudu:

“I got into this line of work not knowing that I would get the opportunity to show my true colours, who I am, and to prove to other people that I am powerful and the life I live is a reality.”

Well deserved recognition

Unexpected leaders often emerge when they advocate for those like themselves and for issues that they are passionate about and understand well through their lived reality. It makes sense, therefore, that Dudu was first recognised by the sex worker community, which appointed her as the national organiser and mobiliser for Sisonke, SA’s first union for sex workers.

Duduzile was recognised by Tekano Health Equity in South Africa when she was selected as a Health Equity Fellow in 2017. Tekano’s vision is to build a more equitable South African society with improved health status across all populations. Dudu is the epitome of a community change agent and health advocate and is an example of what is possible when support is given to community leaders.

The recognition for the work that Dudu was doing soon spread outside of the sex worker community, and on July 25, 2018, Dudu became the first person to win the Prudence Mabele Award, an endowment made in honour of the first black woman to reveal her HIV status in South Africa publicly.

Privileged to meet leaders at work

One of the privileges of working in evaluation is that we encounter women at the helm of organisations, large and small, working across all areas of social justice. Through Southern Hemisphere’s work with organisations like Tekano, where we have been evaluating their programme “Leadership for health equity – a community’s journey”, Lara has seen first-hand the difference that female leaders and activists like Dudu can make by shining a light on areas where society sometimes is loath to look. As a feminist, Lara was inspired by Dudu’s work and said of Dudu:

“Her work as a social justice advocate and feminist is notable in the gender justice and health equity sector. She works to uplift marginalised, particularly vulnerable, and ‘forgotten’ community members. Dudu deserves a nomination because she has built herself up and demonstrates incredible resilience, compassion, and power.”

Says Laura Carruthers:

“I consider it a privilege to be part of a women-owned and led organisation where we are exposed to women at the helm, inspiring and dynamic community leaders and activists and we, as Southern Hemisphere, can form a small but vital part of the process of meaningful change.”

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